A successful royal visit in Slovenia

Group photo with HRH

From May 14th to 15th 2019, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex visited Slovenia to mark the British-Slovene history and friendship. On the 15th of May, the Award in Slovenia (known as MEPI) organized an event called MEPI Urban Tribe to boost recognition of the Award programme and to connect its participants with Award Centres.

More than 200 young people from 16 primary schools, secondary schools and other youth organisations attended various workshops such as teambuilding, folk dance, improvisation theatre, and chemistry workshops where they experienced the various elements of the Award programme. HRH The Earl of Wessex attended the event in the company of the president of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor (a patron of the Award in Slovenia). They stopped by various workshops to chat with participants, attended cultural events and planted a tree as a symbol of the British-Slovene relationship.

As the purpose of this event was to raise the profile of the Award, The International Award for Young People – Slovenia (MEPI) invited non-partnering organisations to a smaller, private event called “7 aspects of MEPI”. Headmasters, teachers and youth workers were invited to listen to the benefits of the Award from seven different Award stakeholders (e.g. Award Leader, parent of a participant, etc.). The event was very successful and contributed to the expansion of the Award in Slovenia.

That same day, the ‘#WORLDREADY – For jobs of the future’ event also took place and was aimed at a business audience. More than 230 representatives from business, education, civil service and various other organisations and associations gathered at the event. HRH The Earl of Wessex took part in a panel discussion in which all participants agreed that more needs to be done to recognise the importance of non-formal education and learning. At the end of the event 120 enterprises and individuals signed a #WORLDREADY manifesto in support of our initiative.

All participants and Gold Award holders demonstrated how the Award impacts young people; it equips them with lifelong skills and practical experience, enabling them to face all the challenges and opportunities that life throws their way.

Special thanks to Jera Oražem, Assistant Events Manager & Gold Award Holder from Slovenia for writing this article.